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Should you chip in on back-to-school expenses?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Aug 18, 2017 | Child Support |

Are you separated from your child’s other parent? Are you already divorced? Perhaps you were never married in the first place?

No matter what the situation, if you have a child support order in place, the back-to-school season presents the non-custodial parent with a difficult question. Do you chip in on the extra costs in addition to your regular child support?

Essentially, the short answer is, “Yes.” As long as you aren’t completely tapped out financially, it’s the easiest way to maintain the peace with your child’s other parent and avoid being dragged into court for a hearing.

At the same time, you want to make sure that you aren’t handing over an unnecessary amount of your hard-earned cash if it isn’t needed. Here are some practical strategies you can use to make certain that the financial burden is divided fairly:

1. Understand how much the current school season costs.

While your local demographics can affect how much is actually spent per child, the figures for 2017 look roughly like this:

  • Parents of kids in elementary school can expect to spend $662 on school clothes and supplies.
  • The cost rises for middle school kids to $1,001.
  • Students in high school cost the most, averaging $1,489 in expenses.

2. Figure out your share of the expenses based on your share of the child support.

Look at your child support papers and see if you can determine if the court has set your share of the child care expenses at 30 percent, 40 percent or more. Divide the total cost of the back-to-school expenses by that amount so that you know what you should contribute. For example, if you have two kids in middle school, they’re going to need roughly $2,002 worth of school clothes and supplies. If you’re expected to cover 40 percent of their expenses, that’s $800.80. If you feel like that’s a lot, remember that their other parent has to shoulder the remaining $1200.20!

3. Offer to split the list and buy what is on your share or offer to go shopping together.

That way you can make sure exactly where your additional money is going. You can tell the other parent that you want the bonding experience of going shopping with the kids — it’s something that no parent should miss.

For more advice on how to handle tricky child support issues, talk to an attorney today.

Source: www.losttweens.com, “This is How Much You Can Estimate to Spend During 2017 Back-To-School Season,” accessed Aug. 18, 2017

I’ve been served divorce papers that include false allegations: what do I do?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Jun 6, 2025 | Domestic Violence

Receiving divorce papers is already overwhelming. When false allegations are part of the paperwork, the situation can feel even more difficult. It’s essential to stay calm and know how to address the issue. Here’s what to do if you receive divorce papers containing...

Do domestic partnerships affect divorce rights?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 14, 2025 | Divorce

Domestic partnerships offer many of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but they can complicate the divorce process. If you're ending a domestic partnership, your legal path may differ from that of a traditional divorce, especially in California....

Moore / Marsden calculations in California divorce

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 10, 2025 | Divorce

In California, Moore/Marsden calculations determine how to divide property when one spouse’s separate property has contributed to the acquisition or improvement of community property. These calculations ensure a fair division of property in divorce cases, particularly...

How can you document SP for asset protection?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 3, 2025 | Family Law

When you're about to get married, it's important to think about how to protect your assets, including spousal support (SP) money. If you've received spousal support in the past or expect it during your marriage, you may worry about documenting its use—especially if...

What to expect during child support enforcement actions

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 23, 2025 | Child Support

Child support represents the financial contributions a non-custodial parent makes towards their child's upbringing. It ensures a parent meets the child's basic needs, such as food, housing, and education. It also supports a child's wellbeing, especially when parents...

Can you reimburse expenses before child support orders take effect?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 17, 2025 | Child Support

After a separation, managing child-related expenses can become a challenging task, especially before any official child support orders take effect. Many parents wonder if they can reimburse child expenses during this interim period. Understanding your rights and...

Do mothers have more rights than fathers in custody cases?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 11, 2025 | Custody & Visitation

When it comes to custody cases, it is a common misconception that mothers have more rights than fathers. This often stems from historical trends and societal assumptions about parenting roles. Whether you are a mother concerned about maintaining your relationship with...

Why should you update your advanced directives during a divorce?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 28, 2025 | Divorce

Going through a divorce is challenging. One crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is updating your advanced directives. These legal documents play a vital role in ensuring others respect your wishes, even when you cannot speak for yourself. Protecting your...

Can you protect yourself and your children without a divorce?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 25, 2025 | Domestic Violence

Domestic violence creates a terrifying and dangerous situation. You may feel trapped, believing divorce is your only option for safety. The good news is that California law provides legal alternatives if your moral beliefs prevent you from getting a divorce. Let us...

What can California parents do if their child refuses to visit the other parent?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 14, 2025 | Child Custody

Dealing with a child who does not want to see their other parent can create stress for everyone involved. California courts expect parents to follow custody orders while being sensitive to their children's feelings. Parents can struggle to balance their legal...

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Recent Posts

  • I’ve been served divorce papers that include false allegations: what do I do?
  • Do domestic partnerships affect divorce rights?
  • Moore / Marsden calculations in California divorce
  • How can you document SP for asset protection?

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